Separating liquids and means therefor



Jan. 8, 1929.

' 1,698,002 F. PINK SEPARATING LIQUIDS AND MEANS THEREFOR Filed March1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FRANK NK;

Jan. 8, 1929. 1,698,002

\ F. PINK SEPARATING LIQUIDS AND MEANS THEREFOR Filed March 1924 4Sheets-Sheet 2 IN vs NToR Fan/w? mm I Jan. 8, 1929. 1,698,002.

F. PINK I SEPARATING LIQUIDS AND MEANS THEREFOR Filed March 1924 4Sheets-Sheet 3 /N VENT R FRANK PINK Jan. 8, 1929.

PINK SEPARATING mourns AND mums THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March1924 Patented Jan. 8, 192%.

stars FRANK PINK, OF PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND.

SEEARATING LIQ'UEIDS AND MEAIJS THEREFOR. 7

Application filed March i, 1924, Serial No This invention relates toimprovements il apparatus for separating liquids of 'd'itlerentdensities, such as oil and water, and is suited for use on board ship,or any floating support or on'la-nd. i I An object'ot the presentinventio to provide apparatus for separating liguids which is simple inconstruction, and by means of which a-separation suflicient forpractical purposes is obtained. 7

In the drawings accompanying this specification, Fig. 1 is an insometricview of a form of lay-out embodying a float valve control, Fig. 2 is adiagrammatic View of a coinparted arrangement having a separate lead-outfor each compartment, Fig. 3 a diagrammatic View of the inventionapplied to the double bottom of a ship, Fig. 4 is a section on the lineAB of F ig. 3 and Fig. 5 is a section on the line CD of Fig. 3. "Fig. 6is a detail view of the valve gear, an enlarged view of the separatingchamber and inter related parts, Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fig. 7 withthe top cover removed, Fig.

" 9 is a view of a variant float arrangement, while Fig. 10 is a detailview of a control unlt for the oil valve.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided aihoriz ontallyelongatediclcsed chamber or tank .1, with a sloping top or root (removedfrom Fig. 1). A. collectingchamber 16 rises from the chamber 1. 2 is aninlet for th mixed liquid and 4.- is a rising pipe or water dischargeleg. Baillesare provided in the tanl: 1. These battles may be of variousforms. 8 and 6 indicate the battles. The baiiies indicated by .6 arehinged to angle plates 7 and secured in position by bolts 8. 5 is amanhole. Acrelief pipe 49 for air may beprovided' at the top, ofthe oilchamber or dome, this pipe be- 3 ing taken up to a point above the wateroutlet. 14 is a discharge valve for the lighter liquid, and 15 thelighter liquid discharge pipe. As illustrated in Fig. 7 the pipe 15 mayhave its end upwardly bent so that the flow thereinto is a downtlow. 13is a float for controlling the opening and closing of saidvalvel, saidfloat sinking in the lighter liquid to open-the valve and being floatedby the heavier liquid to close the valve.

Means areprovided for applyingan in creased force to actuate saiddischarge valve 14. O ne way compr ses a piston valve 17 operated bythe, fioat,1,3.

'13 is communicated to asp 697,960, and in Great Britain June 9, H1323.

' On movement of the float in one" direction the valve 17 admitssteam orhydraulic pres sure to one side of aYpiston in a cylinder 18 1 to movethis to close the oil valve 14;.

the ball moves in the other direction it 019- crates to reverse thevalve 17 and admits the pressure to the other side of the piston in thecylinder 18 to open the oil valve; Provision is made -for exhaust of thespent motive agency. i I

The connections between the float and the piston valve '17 andalso theconnections'be tween the cylinder 18 and the oil valve 14' may be by anyconvenient connecting de-' vices.

The float- 1-3shewn is a cylinder float,

like a carburetter float. This fioat ishollow and may be weighted forexample, with i cement. The float" 13 is mounted on a spindle 19workingbetweentop and bottom guides 20 and 21 respectively.

A lever arm'22 rests en the top ofthe float spindle 19 so that anymovement of the float --.le The full outline at Fig.7 shows the positionof the arm 22 when the float is'up, and the dotted outline when thefloat is down.

One end of tile spindle 23 is attached to l a weighted arm E l-{Whicharm or lever con trols the operation of the piston valve1-7 foroperating'the piston in the cylinder 18 for opening or closing the ;oildischarge valve 14. j

There is provided a relief valve'25 in'a pipe extension 26 for theremoval of air when the apparatusjis first filled-with water, and forthe expulsion, when desired, otthe last few gallons of oil alter thefloat has closed the main delivery valve 14.

A steam coil 27, or a number thereof, may

be placed in the head or domc16 to liquet'y the foil, and enable theimprisoned airto e'as1ly escape-from t, and also to allowany particlesof water imprisoned, to more easily fall to the bottom. lnlthe exampleshown by-Fig. 7 two rings of the coil are designed ;to function as thetop andbottom guides 20 and 21.101 the float sp'indlelt). A thermostaticcontroltor steam inlet is indicated at 28. v V

Fig. 9 shews a variant float control. In this arrangement there isaweighted rod 29. The rod 29 will not followthe float spindle 19 down tothe bottom ofits travel,

the movable rod 29 beinglike the valve-rod of an internal combustionengine and the fioat spindle 19 like the t'appet rod thereot.

The rod 29 is under bias to return to its lowest position by a weight30. By this arrangement in the event of slight movement beingcommunicated to the tloatwhen it is at the lower part-0t its travel suchmovement will notbe communicated to the valve operating gear, whichotherwise may cause premature closing of the oil outlet valve. Fig-9shews a slide valve 31 and piston 32 for operating the oil valve 14. j

An electrical control may be interposed between the tioat and a pressuredevice as for example the valves 17 or 81 for opening and closing theoil. discharge valve. V

Fig. 2 shews a lay out of tank or chamber 35-having separatecompartments 36 formed- ,by transverse partitions or baliles 11, ex-

tending to the top of the chamber. These battles may be fixed or may bepivoted.

Connecting the top of each compartment 86' to a main pipe 37 are branchpipes 38, and through these pipes38 and the pipe 37 the oilipasses fromthe tank 35 to the dome or collecting head 39. The head 39 hasa'suitable mechanical device or. electrical device for controlling thedelivery oil valve as previously' described. A discharge valve 40 foremptying the chamber 35 is shown in Fig. 2. 1 This discharge valve maybe fitted to the construction of Fig. 1. g

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 shew the application of the apparatus according to thepresent invention to the double bottom of a ship of ten thousand tons. I

In the example illustrated the separating chamber 41 is arranged in thecellular double bottom between girderplates 42 and 43 like the usual oilfuel and water ballast; tanks. In some cases the usual transversepartition plates with manholes therein are used to form the baflies.Additional baflles 9 may be provided. A lining may, when necessary, befitted in the separating chamber 41. The float chamber is indicated by44. 45 is a bilge pump for delivering the mixture to the chamber 41. 46is the Water outlet or water leg and .47 is an oil conducting pipe,

this pipe having branches 48 leading'from the chamber 41.

Where I speak of flow in a substantially horizontal direction I wouldhave it understood that the tank or pipe may save an inclined orundulating bottom so long as the direction is suflicientlynear thehorizontal to permit and maintain a surface separation,

of the two liquids during such flow.

The apparatus according to the present invention is such that as themixture of oil and water passes through the tank, globules of oil risecontinually to the top of the tank,

being trapped by the battles if these are present, and directed therebyto the top of 'each compartment between the battles;

through the valve.

thereafter the oil gradually passes along directly or through a pipeline to the collecting head or receiver to be discharged;

Before passing into the separating chamher the mixture,-t'or example,oily water may be passed through a filter to remove solid 'matter.

To operate the apparatus, the apparatus is first filled with water andas the water reaches the dotted line X-Z the tloat rises and closes thevalve. Air is discharged through the relief valve 25 which issubsequently closed. The mixture of oil and water is then admitted, andthe separator comes into action. The oil rises as described, and thewater flows on and out of the rising pipe or water leg 4.

As the water discharge level is above the discharge level ot the oiloutlet, there is always a working head or pressure at theoil outlet. Asthe oil collects inthe head or dome it gradually displaces the water,and eventually when suliicient oil has collected, the float is no longersupported on water, and falls, opening the valve. The oil is then forcedout hen the oil accumulates down to the level Y-Y, or it air'accumulates, the float operates the oil outlet.

I would have itunderstood that by sep- 4 aration I do not necessarilymeancomplete separation, since with most liquids complete separationcannot be obtained by an ap paratus of this type, but separationsuliicient for practical purposes such as have ber, an inlet at one endof said chamber for the mixed liquid, an exit for the heavier liquid atthe other end of said chamber, the mixed liquid having a substantiallyhorizontal flow through the chamber from inlet to exit, means forcreating a pressure on the mixed liquid in said chamber, a collectingchamber for the lighter liquid at the upper part of said closed chamber,an outlet in said'collecting chamber through which the I lighter liquidis expelled by reason of the pressure on the mixed liquid, a valve forsaid outlet, and a float for controlling the opening and closing of saidvalve, said float sinking in the lighter liquid to open the valve andbeing floated by the heavier liquid to close the valve.

2. Apparatus for separating-liquids of different densities, comprisingin combination, a horizontally elongated closed chamber, aniiilet at oneend of saidthamber for the mixed liquid, an exit for the heavier liquidat the other end of said chamber,"the mixed liquid havinga substantiallyhorizontal flow through thechainber from inlet to exit, means forcreating a press'ureon the mixed liquid in said chamber, baffles in saidtion, a horizontally elongated clos'e'dchamber, a'slopin top to saidchamber, an inlet at one end or' said chamber for the mixed liquid, anexit for the heavier liquid at the other end of said chamber, the mixedliquid having a substantially horizontal flow through the chamber frominlet to exit,

means for creating a pressure on the mixed liquid in said chamber, acollecting chamber for the lighter liquid extending upwardly from thehorizontally elongated main portion of said closed chamber and at theinlet end thereof, an outlet in said collecting chamber through Whichthe lighter liquid is expelled by reason of the pressure on the mixedliquid, a valve for said outlet, and a 'float for controlling theopening and closing of said valve, said float sinking in the lighterliquid to open the valve and being floated by the heavier liquid toclose the valve.

4. Apparatus for separating liquids of different densities, comprisingin combination, a horizontally elongated closed chamher, an inlet at oneend of said chamber for the mixed liquid, an exit for the heavier liquidat the other end of said chamber, the mixed liquid having asubstantially horizontal flow through the chamber from inlet to exit,means for creating a pressure on the mixed liquid in said chamber, acollecting chamber for the lighter liquid at the upper part of saidclosed chamber, an outlet in said collecting chamber through Whichthelighter liquid is expelled by reasonof the pressure on the mixed liquid,a valve for said outlet, a float for controlling the opening and closingof said valve,'said float sinking in the lighter liquid to open thevalve and being floated by the heavier liquid to close the valve, andmeans for applying an increased force to actuate said valve, said meansbeing interposed between the said float and the said Valve.

5. Apparatus for separating liquids of difl'erent densities, comprisingin combimean, a horizontally elongated-clam chamber, an inlet at one endat said chambr for the mixed liquid, anexit {f r the heavier liquidat'the other end of saidchamber the mi-Xed liquid having a substantiallyhorizontal'flow through the chamber itroiii 'inletto exit, means forcreating a pressure on the mixed liquid in said chamber,niovable bafflesin sai'achambeaa collecting chamber-for the 5 lighter liquid at-theupper part of said closed chamber, an cutlet in "said collecting chamberthrough which the lighter liquid i is eX15elled-byreasbnof the pressureon the mixed liquid, a valve forsaid outlet and a float for controllingthe opening and closing of said valve, said float sinking in thelighter'liquid to open the valve and'bein floated by the heavier liquidto "close the valve.

nation, a horizontally elongated cIOs'e'dcham ber, an inlet at one endof said chamber-for the mixed liquid, an exit' foi' the heavier liquidat the other end of said-chamber, the

mixed liquid having a substantially horizontal flow through the chamberfrom inlet to 6. Ap 'ia'ratu's for separating-liquids oit' V diflere'ntdensities, comprising in 'c'oi-nbi exit, means for creating a pressureon the mixed liquid in said chamber, a collecting chamber for thelighter liquid at the upper part of said closed chamber, an out-let insaid collecting chamber through Which the lighter liquid is expelled byreason of the pressure on the mixed liquid, at valve/for said outlet, anauxiliary valve device for controlling the opening and closing of saidvalve, and a float for operating said auxiliary valve device, said floatsinking in the lighter liquid and being floated by the heavier liquid. 1v

7. Apparatus for separating liquids of different densities, comprisingin combie nation, a horizontally elongated closed chamher, an inlet atone end of said chamber for the mixed liquid, an exit for the'heavierliquid at the other end of said chamber, the

mixed liquid having a substantially horizontal flow through the chamberfrom inlet to exit, means for creating a pressure on the mixed liquid insaid chamber, a collecting chamber for the lighter liquid extendingupwardly from the horizontally elongated main part of said closedchamber, an outlet in said collecting chamber through Which the lighterliquid is expelledby reason of the pressure on the mixed liquid, saidoutlet being at the highest point of said collecting chamher, a valvefor said outlet, and afloat for controlling theopening and closing ofsaid valve, said float sinking in the lighter liquid to open the valveand being floated by the 1 heavier liquid to close the valve.

8. Apparatus for separating liquids of different densities, comprisingin combination, a horizontally elongated closed chamliquid in saidchamber, baffles in said cham;

having a substantiallyhorizontal flow,

through the, chamberfrom inlet to exit, means for creating a pressure onthe mixed her, a collecting chamber for the lighter liquid extendingupwardly from the horizontally elongatedmain part of said closedchamher, an outlet in said collecting chamber through which the lighterliquid is expelled by reason oi the pressure on the mixed liquid, avalve for said outlet, and a float for controlling the opening andclosing of said valve, said float sinking in the lighter-liquid to openthe valve and-being floated by the heavier liquid to close the valve.

9. Apparatus for separating liquids of different densities, comprisingin combination, ahorizontally elongated closed chamber, a sloping top tosaid chamber, an inlet at one end of said chamber for the mixed otherend'of said chamber, the mixed li%uid liquid, an exit for the heavierliquid at the having a substantially horizontal ow through 'thechamberfrom inlet to exit,

means for creating a pressure on the mixed 7 liquid in said chamber,baflles in said chamber, a collecting chamber for the lighter,

liquid extending upwardly from the horizontally elongated main part ofsaid closed chamber, an outlet in said collectingcham- 7 her throughwhich the lighter liquid is expelled by reason of-the pressure on themixed liquid, a valve for said outlet, afloat the float, said meansbeing interposed be tween the said float and the said valve.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

FRANK PINK;

